Industries
Industries
Quarry, Creamery, Tilery and Brickworks, Newer Industries
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Industries
Quarry
Scar Top quarry dating back to Roman times provided most of the red sandstone used for most buildings in the village
Quarry
Scar Top quarry dating back to Roman times provided most of the red sandstone used for most buildings in the village
The Quarry, which is situated near Scar Top, is a deposit of red sandstone. It has been worked since the time of the Romans, for a stone with a Roman inscription relating to the work of the 20th Legion was found on the face of the rock. This was removed some time in the nineteenth century to Underwood, a farmhouse near Milburn, where it was built into the west wall of the house.
When the common lands were inclosed in 1773, part of the quarry was allotted to William Norton (whose wife was a Dalston of Acorn Bank) and his heirs. From him it descended to the Boazmans of Acorn Bank and now of Millrigg. Part of the quarry belonged to the Crackenthorpes of Newbiggin Hall, and part to Culgaith Parish. Most of the older houses in Culgaith and many in surrounding villages, as well as Newbiggin Viaduct, the tunnels, etc., were built of this lovely stone. The Sewells and Oglethorpes were families of masons for a great number of years, and they quarried their stone from Crowdundale. It is said that on leaving their work they always left a pick to show which was their pitch. These masons paid no rent, but after their day, the Quarry was let to Mr. Simpson, who also had quarries at Lazonby. When he gave up the Quarry it was taken over by Mr. Shackleton, but he could not make it pay and gave it up. Since then the quarry has not been used, and is now overgrown with weeds.
Creamery
Creamery
The Creamery dates back to 1888, but was succeeded by other enterprises, including a pig farm.
Culgaith Creamery was started by a company consisting of landowners and local farmers, with the object of providing a market for milk produced by farmers in the district. The building, adjoining the railway station, was erected in 1888, and Mr. Thomas Hills became the first tenant.
He resided at Bushby House. Farmers took their milk to the factory, where some was sterilised and some made into butter and cream cheese. Most of it was sent away by rail, to places as far away as Southport. Mr. Hills left in 1895, and his son Alfred, who had been working with his father, carried on. He soon left, and was succeeded by Mr. Simpson, who represented the firm of Greenhalge, MacLaren and Simpson. The house near the Creamery was built for him, also the piggeries in the field below the station, for he also started a small pig farm. The Creamery did not turn out to be a paying concern, and it soon closed down. The building was let to various tenants, viz: A. Burne, C. Slack, Teasdale and Wright and T. P. Sisson, who were dealers in feeding stuffs for cattle.
About 1933 J. G. Pears took over the building and started dealing in eggs, rabbits, poultry, etc. He installed much modern equipment, had vans on the road to collect goods and sent much of it away by rail. When myxomatosis came in 1954 and destroyed all the rabbits, he had to con- centrate on eggs and poultry. Before this dreadful disease wiped out the rabbits it was not unusual to send a ton of rabbits away each day. Now only odd couples are brought in. Mr. Pears died in 1958, and the business is now being carried on by Mrs. Pears. She employs two vanmen and five workers in the factory. All classes of poultry, as well as salmon, venison and game are collected and sold to hotels in the Lake District and Yorkshire, and to local butchers and fishmongers. Any surplus poultry are sent to large towns all over the country. Upwards of 4 million eggs are collected in a year from the surrounding district.
Tilery and Brickworks
Tilery and Brickworks
A tile and brickworks based on local clay continued until the 1930s, followed by a succession of other activities.
The Tilery and Brick Works were a very old-established industry, situated at the foot of The Pea, near the Eden, where there was a good deposit of clay. At one time the works belonged to two Misses Wilson of Penrith, who let them to Samuel Taylor. He and his sons had the business for many years, making some bricks, but mostly drain tiles. Later, Joseph Stamper bought the business and spent a great deal of money on improvements. He bought a ship's boiler for drying the bricks and tiles, and in 1926 built the big chimney. During the slump in the 1930's, he lost a considerable amount of money. He sold the business to Mr. Baines, a builder, who made bricks at first, then turned to making concrete products. He built offices near the brick works, and later a house for his secretary. During the Second World War the sheds were used as a storage place for Government goods-wire, diesel engines, etc. These were brought to Culgaith and stored, then taken away when needed. After the war, concrete products were again made, then in 1957 the Culgaith Engineering Company, with Mr. Baines one of the directors, started making caravans. About 36 men are engaged in this industry, not all from Culgaith, for many are brought by private bus from Penrith and district. There is also an office staff of six, in addition to Mr. Baines and his son.
Village Industries Update 1992
Village Industries Update 1992
Industries and Businesses 1960-92
T. F. Thompson & Son
The old established building firm of T. F. Thompson & Son, now run by Mr. Barry Thompson assisted by Mr. John Edington, familiarly known as 'Doc', also fulfils the necessary function of undertakers.
R. & D. Cowin
In September 1966 Mr. Roland Cowin began a Solid Fuel supply business based at Appleby, later moved to Newbiggin. Due to an accident soon afterwards which put Roland on the sidelines for sometime, his brother Dennis gave up his work as a carpenter to run the business until Roland was fit again. Dennis was later made a partner and in 1978 Hazel Dene was bought from Mrs. Pears who had to leave owing to ill-health and it was made the depot for the business which also supplies Calor Gas. Mr. S. Steadman began work with the brothers in 1966 and was later admitted to the partnership.
Old Creamery
For a time the old Creamery at Hazel Dene was used as a wholesale crockery store. In 1988 it was decided to make use of the field behind the house (which was considered useless) to begin a Garden Centre. The field now accommodates a number of greenhouses, growing plants of all descriptions for sale, as well as other garden sun- dries. Staff now numbers 6 full-time and 4 part-time, and the Creamery buildings are being converted into a Tea Room.
The Village Shop
Mrs. Elsie Hindson retired in June 1990 and her place was taken by Mr. and Mrs. Simonini. The character of the shop has changed somewhat, the outfitting side been discontinued, more space is available, video tapes and some wines and spirits are sold. At first the Post Office was only open five mornings per week but that has been extended to five and a half days. The old coal-house has been demolished and the house and shop have been renovated, stripped to the original sandstone, the open area in the front of the shop has been paved and the whole building looks very attractive.
The Black Swan
There have been several tenants of The Black Swan since the Kirk family moved to Penrith. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jackson stayed longest, and it was Mrs. Betty Jackson who was instrumental in starting the Village Show. On leaving The Black Swan they lived for sometime in the School House until leaving Culgaith to become caretakers of Glenridding Village Hall in 1990. The present tenants are Mr. and Mrs. Charles O'Niell, and there are Teams for Dominoes, Pool, Darts and two Quiz Teams in local Leagues.
Piggery at Edenlea, Peafoot
The Piggery was purchased from Mr. Brian Lamont in September 1962 by Mr. and Mrs. Reay who lived in a caravan on the site from October until May 1963 when the house was nearly completed. Extensions to the original two bedroomed bungalow were added later. The original land was added to in 1979 when three more fields were bought from Mr. Harry Gill. The first 100 pigs arrived from Norfolk in October 1962, specially vaccinated against Swine Fever. There are now 10,000 pigs of mixed ages and 800 breeding sows. The first man hired to work with the pigs started in Autumn 1963 and the farm now provides employment for about 20 men. A completely new Piggery was built between 1973 and 1977. Negotiations to re-locate the pigs on a more suitable site are continuing, and the Housing Project's detailed plans are with the Planning Committee at present, Outline Planning Permission for housing having been granted in 1989.
Former Tilery and Brickworks:
The Tilery and Brick Works is now used as a storage and maintenance depot for the transport firm of G. A. Stamper. The firm is now run by Mrs. Joan Stamper and family with a fleet of heavy lorries travelling over the British Isles.
The Blacksmith's Shop: Mr. and Mrs. J. Brookfield moved into Culgaith 10 years ago from Wembley. Mr. Brookfield has family connections in the area, and they chose Rose Cottage and The Blacksmith's Shop as it was large enough for their family and premises to convert to a small factory unit. Mr. Brookfield manufactures equipment for the telecommunications industry, involving making metal cases, winding transformers and wiring up complete items. Their largest customer is British Telecom and at present they employ 8 young people, both male and female from Culgaith and surrounding villages. The factory is not noisy, does not produce any pollution so is ideally suited to the environment as well as enabling young people to remain working and living in the villages and helping the rural economy. Mr. and Mrs. Brookfield have many visitors to their factory who are envious of them being able to work in such a beautiful corner of England.
Mr. David Whiting
About 9 years ago Mr. David Whiting of Pea Top set up a joinery and sub-contract business working as a one-man firm, but at present is employing one other man.
Tarn Villa
After the death of Mr. James Sewell, Tarn Villa was sold to Mr. Geoff Ward and later to Mr. and Mrs. Hay. About six months ago the property was on the market again, and is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Noble who have modernised the garage which is used as a work- shop. Mrs. Noble makes hot air balloon envelopes for the largest firm in the World, Camerons of Bristol. She has been making these for about 4 years and sometimes they are flown over the Lake District and West Cumbria, either carrying people or used for advertising purposes.
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